Still waiting

Retired Radio Pakistan employees continue to be deprived of their medical allowance. In July 2022, the Shehbaz Sharif government replaced the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation’s (Radio Pakistan) pay and pension scale with that of the federal government’s. Following this development, Radio Pakistan’s serving and retired employees were entitled to the payment of a fixed medical allowance with their salaries/pensions, but the same is not being paid to them. PM Shehbaz Sharif, who has formed the government for the second time, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar are requested to look into the matter and help the employees who are neck-deep in financial obligations.

Pensioners are also waiting for the meagre 17.5 per cent increase in their pensions announced in June 2023. The arrears for four months (July to October) are still pending. If the PM and the information minister can resolve this issue, hundreds of pensioners will be able to celebrate Eidul Fitr somewhat comfortably.

M Z Rifat

Lahore